Elevator.



733,238. PATENTED JULY 7, 1903.

D. R. MAGPHERSON. 1

ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. 1903.

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PATENTED JULY 7, 1903.

1). R. MACPHERSON.

ELEVATOR. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17, 1903.

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PATBNTED JULY 7, 1903;

D. R. MAGPHERSON.

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UNITED STATES DUNCAN RICH ARD MACPHERSON,

Patented July 7, 1903,

OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ELEVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 733,238, dated July 7, 1903.

Application filed March 1'7, 1903.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DUNCAN RICHARD MAC- PHERSON, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to that class of eleva tors especially adapted for receiving and disposing of goods in warehouses and in which suitably-directed carriers or conveyers are relatively arranged in proper proximity to establish a convenient and direct course to convey the goods from and to the point of reception and throughout the building.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple elevator of this class which is effective and economicalin its operation and which entirely dispenses with hand-trucking.

My invention consists in the novel constructions, arrangements, and combinations of parts, which I shall now describe by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my elevator. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of same. Fig. 8 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a detail showing the temporary lock during the adjustment or variation of the length of the upright conveyors. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the separable or detachable links adapted to adjust the length of said upright conveyers.

A is the receiving-platform of the elevator. This is supported on a suitable base, such as a, and may be located in any suitable convenient position-as, for example, under the sidewalkadapting it to receive the goods direct from the wagons or trucks through the intervention of a suitable chute a, as seen in Figs. 1 and This platform extends into the warehouse and terminates short of but in close proximity to what I may term the transfer-table B, which is supported on the same base 0. and is on the same level as the receiving-platform, and consists of a number of horizontally separated or spaced pieces, as seen clearly in Fig. 3.

Mounted upon terminal sprockets c are endless conveyer-chains C, which travel directly over the top of the receiving-platform Serial No. 148,146- (No model.)

A. Between these chains and fastened to each is a cross flight or bar 0, which passes over the platform. There may be as many of the cross-flights as desired. There is room enough between adjacent ends of the receiving-platform and the transfer-table to allow the flights to pass down between them, as shown in Fig. D is a vertical frame for the lifting part of the elevator. This frame may be suitably located and may extend from floor to floor and may reach through as many floors as desired. I have here shown two floors or stationsa top floor T and an intervening floor T. Upon terminal sprockets E of this frame 'D are mounted the endless conveyer-chains E. Crosswise to these are secured the base bars 6 of the lifting-fingers e, which are so disposed that in ascending they project horizontally and pass up through the spaces of the transfer-table B, as in Fig. 3, thereby picking up from said table and receiving upon themselves any bale, case, or other load which may be on said table and carrying it up. F is the delivery-platform on top floor or station T at the upper terminus of the frame D. It may extend horizontally or at an inclination, as here shown. The end of this platform F nearest the frame D for some distance back consists of separated or spaced pieces f, thus slitting or digitating said end to enable the platform to be placed close up to the frame to properly-receive the goods and yet permit the fingers c to pass down through the slots, thereby leaving the goods on the digitated end of the platform F. Uponsprockets g of platform F are mounted endless conveyer-chains G, which pass over the top of the platform, as shown clearly in Fig. 3. 'Motion is imparted to these several conveyors as follows: If is the power-shaft, having pulley II. This shaft has a pinion 72 Figs. 1 and 2, engaging a gear h onthe shaft 6 of the lower sprocke s E of frame D, whereby the convcyer-chains E of said frame are driven. The gear 72 has on its side a sprocket 7L2, from which a chain 7L3 extends to a sprocket c on the shaft G of the near sprockets c of receivingplatform A, Fig. 1, whereby the conveyorchains 0 of said platform are driven. Upon the shaft 6" of the upper sprockets E of frame D is a sprocket a from which a chain 6 extends to a sprocket g on the shaft g of the remote sprockets g of platform F, whereby the chains G of said platform are driven, Figs. 1 and 3. Any suitable power may be applied to shaft II. For convenience I have here shown the pulley II.

The operation of the elevator as far as described is as follows: The goods are delivered from the wagons through the chute a to the receiving-platform A, on which they rest. One of the cross-flights 0, coming behind a bale or box of goods, pushes it along by sliding it upon said platform. The bale or box rests not upon the cross-flight nor upon the conveyer-chains and is not, therefore, carried by them, but resting wholly upon the platform it is simply slid alon This enables it to pass directly and easily .upon the transfer-table B, which is on the same level. It is simply and smoothly pushed slidingly upon said transfer-table and does not fall or roll thereon, nor is it jarred or shaken in any manner as would be the case if it were carried by the conveyer and delivered therefrom. The bale or box now rests temporarily on the transfer-table, and then the lifting-fingers a come up from below, pass through the spaces of the transfer-table, and pick up said bale or box and lift it up to the top of the device.

Here, passing over the top, it is gently deposited and left upon the digitated end of the platform F, resting on the conveyers G of said platform, while the fingers 6 proceed on their downward course. Then the conveyer chains G carry it along said platform to the end. Thus the goods are carried to their destination with the least amount of hand-truckin g, and in their transit they are dealt with as gently as possible.

Some further d etails of construction will now be noted.

To the end of platform F may be removably hooked a frame I, which carries rollers i, one of which is shownin Fig. 3. Upon these roll ers the goods may be easily pushed along.

As before stated, I have shown two floors or stations. The upper floor T is shown as being used for the operation of the elevator. The intervening floor T is out of use. this fioor the delivery-platform, which corresponds to and is constructed with a digitated end similar to F on floor T and is designated by K, is shown as pivotally mounted at it, whereby it may,'when not in use, be thrown up, as shown in Fig. 1, out of the way to present no obstruction to the descending crosshead bars 6 of the lifting-fingers e as they come down from above. A rack, such as 7t, and removable pin serve to hold the platform in any position to which it may be adjusted. Now when it is desired to bring the station or floor T into use to receive goods the upright conveyer-chains E are shortened by separating them at certain detachable links properly located. These links are indicated at e in Fig. 1 and consist, as shown in Fig. 5, of links united by aremovable bolt e 'When the chains are broken at these points, the severed ends of the lower sections are then brought around to meet and are c011- nected by the bolts 9 thus giving chains which reach now only to the station or floor T. These shortened chains are now caused to engage with sprockets e on a shaft c said shaft carrying a sprocket e, from which a chain 6 extends, as shown in Fig. l, to drive the conveyors of the platform K. Then the platform K is lowered to and locked in position to receive the goods from the lifting-fingers e just as the upper platform F formerly received them, the uppersections of chains E above station T remaining idle meanwhile. Thus the elevator is now adapted for use on another floor or station, and this may be done with any number of floors. erly steady the parts while the change or variation in the length of'thc chain E is being effected, I use the means shown in Fig. 4. On the sprocket e are formed eyes 6 A long pin 6 is passed through the links of chains E and the eyes 6 thereby holding said chains and the shaft 6 steady while the chains E are broken above said temporary lock and again united. Then the pin 6 is removed and the device is ready for operation.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an elevator, the combination of a receiving-platform to support the goods,a traveling conveyer having means adapted to slidably advance the goods on the platform, a

transfer-table on the same level as the platform and. adapted to receive the goods pushed thereon from the platform, said table being composed of spaced or separated pieces, and a second endless traveling conveyer disposed at an angle to the first conveyer, and having lifting-fingers adapted to pass through the spaced transfer-table and to lift the goods therefrom and carry them to their destination.

2. In an elevatonthe combination of a horizontal receivingplatform to support the goods, an endless traveling conveyer having a cross-bar adapted to slidably advance the goods on the platform, a horizontal transfertable on the same level as the platform and adapted to receive the goods pushed thereon from the platform by the traveling cross-bar, said table being disposed at the end of and separated from the platform and composed of spaced or separated pieces, and a second endless traveling conveyer disposed perpendicularly and having lifting-fingers adapted to pass upwardly through the spaced transfer-table and to lift the goods therefrom and carry them up to their destination.

3. An elevator consisting of a receivingplatform below, to support the goods, :1 travelin g conveyer having means adapted to slidably advance the goods on the platform, a transfer-table on the same level as the platform and adapted to receive the goods pushed thereon from the platform, said table being composed of spaced or separated pieces, an

In order to propupwardly-traveling conveyer having liftingfingers adapted to pass up through the spaced transfer-table and to lift the goods therefrom and carry them upwardly, a delivery-platform above having its end contiguous to the upwardly-traveling conveyer slitted or digitated to enable the lifting-fingers to deposit the goods thereon and pass on through, and an endless traveling conveyer on the platform to advance the goods to their destination.

a. In an elevator,the combination of a horizontal receiving platform to support the goods, an endless traveling conveyer having a cross-bar adapted to slidably advance the goods 011 the platform, a horizontal transfertable on the same level as the platform and adapted to receive the goods pushed thereon from the platform by the traveling cross-bar, said table being disposed at the end of and separated from the platform. and composed of spaced or separated pieces, a second endless traveling conveyer disposed perpendicularly and having lifting-fingers adapted to pass upwardly through the spaced transfertable and to lift the goods therefrom and carry them up, a delivery-platform above having its end contiguous to the perpendicularly-disposed conveyer slitted or digitated to enable the lifting-fingers to deposit the goods thereon and pass on through, and an endless traveling conveyer adapted to advance the goods on the delivery-platform to their destination.

5. In an elevator, the combination of an upwardly-traveling conveyer having liftingfingers supporting the goods, a delivery-platform at a station intermediate the height of said conveyer, said platform being pivotally mounted whereby it may be adjusted relatively to said conveyer to receive the goods when in use or to avoid interference when not in use, a conveyer on said platform,power transmitting mechanism to drive said conveyer, and means for varying the length of the upwardly-traveling conveyer to adjust it to engage with and operate the power-transmitting mechanism.

6. In an elevator, the combination of an upwardly-traveling conveyer having liftingfingers supporting the goods, a delivery-platform at a station intermediate the height of said conveyer, said platform being pivotally mounted whereby it may be adjust-ed relatively to said conveyer to receive the goods when in use or to avoid interference when not in use, a conveyer on said platform, powertransmitting mechanism to drive said conveyer, means for varying the length of the upwardly-traveling conveyer to adjust it'to engage with and operate the power-transmitting mechanism, and means for holding said conveyer and power-transmitting mechanism steady while said variation is being efiected.

7. In an elevator, the combination of upwardly-traveling conveyer-chains having lifting-fingers supporting the goods, a deliveryplatform at the upper station of said chains, having its end contiguous to said oh ains slitted or digitated to enable the lifting-fingers to deposit the goods thereon and to pass on through, a conveyer on said delivery-platform to advance the goods, a second delivery-platform at a station below the uppermost, said platform having its end contiguous to the chains slitted or digitated, and pivotally mounted relatively to said chains whereby it is adapted to receive the goods when in use and to avoid interference when not in use, a conveyer on said second platform, power transmitting mechanism to drive said conveyer and means for varying the length of the upwardly-traveh ing chains to adjust them to engage with and operate the power-transmitting mechanism.

8. An elevator consisting of a receivingplatform below, to support the goods, a traveling conveyer having means adapted to slidably advance the goods on the platform, a transfer-table on the same level as the platform and adapted to receive the goods pushed thereon from the platform, said table being composed of spaced or separated pieces, up wardly-traveling conveyer-chains having lift ing-fingers adapted to pass up through the spacedtransfer-table to lift the goods therefrom and then upwardly, a delivery-platform at the upper station of said chains, having its end contiguous to said chains slitted or digitated to enable the lifting-fingers to deposit the goods thereon and to pass on through, a conveyer on said delivery-platform to advance the goods, a second delivery-platform at a station below the uppermost, said platform having its end contiguous to the chains slitted or digitated, and pivotally mounted relatively to said chains whereby it is adapted to re ceive the goods when in use and to avoid interference when not in use, a conveyer 011 said second platform, power-transmitting mechanism to drive said conveyer and means for varying the length of the upwardly-travel ing chains to adjust them to engage with and operate the power-transmitting mechanism.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

DUNCAN RICHARD M AOPHERSON.

lVitnesses: I

XVALTER F. VANE, D. B. RICHARDS. 

